Beijing metal craftsman winner of Sino-French program

Recently, the second "l'ingéniosité de la main (the wisdom of hand)"- Prix Yishu 8·Golden Phoenix Sino-French Craftsmanship Exchange Program announced this year's winner -- Han Chang, a young metal craftsman, in Beijing.

Presenting the award to Han were Lei Geye, co-founder and judge of the award as well as deputy director of the management committee of the Golden Phoenix Science and Art Fund of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Antoine Varlet, vice-president of Chinese marketing of Moet Hennessy Diageo; Su Dan, art director of the award as well as professor and vice-president of the Academy of Fine Arts of Tsinghua University; and Feng Mai, professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Yishu 8 founder Christine Cayol, also a co-founder and judge of the award, witnessed the moment online in Paris.

"L'ingéniosité de la main"- Prix Yishu 8·Golden Phoenix Sino-French Craftsmanship Exchange Program was launched by the Golden Phoenix Science and Art Fund of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and Yishu 8. This year, the renowned French cognac brand Hennessy, which was founded in 1765, formally joined the program to boost Sino-French cultural and artistic exchanges.

Every year since 2019, a young Chinese handicraft inheritor is selected to develop and demonstrate their talents on broader platforms. The award-winning artists will have the opportunity to visit Paris for two months to interact with famous French brands and handicraft artists, and hold an exhibition in the city. The exhibition will also be held in Beijing afterwards.

This year's "l'ingéniosité de la main" was launched in autumn 2020. A total of 14 young artists were nominated, with a focus on metal craftsmanship.

Yishu 8 founder Christine Cayol says that communication and dialogues are extremely important in today's world. She believes that "L'ingéniosité de la main" is an award focusing on tradition, excellence and creativity, which can help improve communication in terms of the development of Chinese and French handicrafts.

"It's an international and open platform," says Han, the winner. "I am glad and grateful to have the opportunity to see through time and better understand myself. Chisel carvings and filigree crafts have a long history in China, and the jewelry in France is well-known in the world, so I look forward to communicating with French artists soon."